Dendrobium bigibbum (den-DROH-bee-um by-GIB-bum var. su-PUR-bum)
Non-nativeHerbaceous
HerbaceousNon-native
Cooktown orchid is an herbaceous perennial epiphyte native to Queensland, Australia, and New Guinea in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It can be found growing in lower elevations in bright light tropical conditions. This subspecies is found in the Cooktown area hence the common name. Use this plant in a pot with a potting mix appropriate for orchids. Provide bright indirect light and humidity with good air circulation. Direct morning sunlight can be beneficial to promote flowering if the plant is slow to flower. Young plants may be slow to flower. During the active growing season keep the potting medium moist and fertilize with a balanced liquid product, such as 10-10-10 or a special orchid fertilizer, every 4 to 6 weeks. The plant needs a winter rest period, at which time fertilizer is not required and water should be reduced. This orchid grows from a pseudobulb and produces large leathery leaves. It can flower anytime during the growing season with long arching stems with 2 to 12 long-lasting upward-facing mauve blooms. The wild-type variety is rarely cultivated, but there are hundreds of hybrids derived from it that are commonly sold in nurseries, grocery stores, big box stores and florists. The hybrids have flowers in various shades of pink, purple, mauve, white or a combination of these colors. This plant is used as a house plant in our area. It can be placed outdoors during the summer but avoid direct sunlight. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Spider mites can occur More information on Dendrobium .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.